Community Programs

Community is the seed that sprouted Food Forward. Today, thousands of volunteers connect local fruit trees and farmers markets with hunger relief organizations across Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties.

Our harvesting sites include Camarillo, Fillmore, Moorpark, Ojai, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Santa Rosa Valley, Simi Valley, Somis, and Thousand Oaks.

Our gleaning areas include Channel Islands, Ojai, Thousand Oaks, Ventura, and Westlake Village. All ages are welcome, including kids as young as five with a guardian.

Volunteer Calendar Start a Food Recovery Project Donate Fruit

Backyard Harvest Program

Our Backyard Harvest Program connects local fruit trees with hunger relief organizations, giving volunteers hands-on opportunities to fight hunger and prevent food waste and increase access to servings of fresh fruits and vegetables in their own communities.

How can I become a Harvest Leader?

Harvest Leaders are trained volunteers who harvest fruit trees independently or alongside fellow volunteers. Your schedule is flexible. Simply let us know the days and times you prefer to volunteer. We ask that Harvest Leaders commit to six (6) harvest events a year.

Harvest Leader Interest Form

Farmers Market Recovery Program

The Farmers Market Recovery Program rescues fresh seasonal surplus produce from farmers markets, preventing food waste through community food rescue and connecting communities with hunger relief organizations. The program engages volunteers in hands-on efforts at weekly market gleans. Our current markets:

Atwater Village Farmers Market (Sundays)
Calabasas Farmers Market (Saturdays)
Channel Islands Harbor Farmers Market (Sundays)
Culver City Farmers Market (Tuesdays)
Encino Farmers Market (Sundays)
Hollywood Farmers Market (Sundays)
Mar Vista Farmers Market (Sundays)
Melrose Place Farmers Market (Sundays)
Ojai Farmers Market (Sundays)
Santa Monica Farmers Market (Wednesdays and Saturdays)
Social District (DTLA) Farmers Market (Saturdays)
Studio City Farmers Market (Sundays)
Thousand Oaks Farmers Market (Thursdays)
Torrance Saturday Farmers Market (Tuesdays and Saturdays)
Ventura Farmers Market (Saturdays)
West Hollywood Farmers Market (Monday)
Westlake Village Farmers Market* (Sundays)

*Not open to volunteers

Become a Farmers Market Recovery Volunteer

How can I become a Glean Team Leader?

Glean Team Leaders are trained volunteers who lead our food rescue efforts at farmers markets. You can set your own schedule based on the date and time of the market where you’d like to lead and commit to six (6) market events over the course of a year or less.

Glean Team Leader Interest Form

Farmers Market Recovery Mentorship Program

We can help you turn your local farmers market into a source for food waste prevention and greater access to fresh fruits and vegetables for communities experiencing food insecurity. Our Farmers Market Recovery Mentorship gives you the tools and support to get started.

Apply for the Farmers Market Recovery Mentorship

How can I become a Community Ambassador?

As a Community Ambassador, you’ll be a familiar face for Food Forward in your community, sharing our mission of food rescue, nutrition equity, and produce recovery at local events with a yearly commitment of just four (4) events.

Community Ambassador Interest Form

Volunteer Calendar

View Full Calendar

Volunteer with our year-round community programs, Backyard Harvest and Farmers Market Recovery. Kids as young as five years old can help out with our efforts. It takes just a couple of hours to make a difference.

Match your volunteer time!
See if your employer will turn your volunteer time into a donation.

Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant

Need help requesting a matching gift from your employer? Reach out to us at [email protected].

Volunteer/DIY FAQ